Ultrastructure of the cerebral glands in Scolopendra cingulata Latr., Cryptops savignyi leach and C. hortensis Leach (Myriapoda : Scolopendromorpha)

Abstract

The fine structure of the cerebral glands (cephalic neurohaemal organs) was investigated in the scolopendromorphs, Scolopendra sp. and Cryptops sp. (Myriapoda Scolopendromorpha). As in other Chilopoda, these organs are composed of glandular cells and axons, originating from the brain. Differences between the 2 genera studied concern: (i) The general structure (axons and glandular cells are mixed in Scolopendra and separated in Cryptops). (ii) The different cell types (I type of glial cell and 2 of glandular cells in Scolopendra while respectively 2 and 3 are persent in Cryptops. Fruthermore, this last genus has a less-developed Golgi apparatus and shows in one of the glandular cell types an intranuclear vacuole, sometimes related to a dilated perinuclear space. Physiological significance of such a structure remains unknown). (iii) The number of axonal types (less numerous in Scolopendra than in Cryptops). The 2 genera show little exocytosis profiles, both in axons and in glandular cells.